Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: US team announcement as Justin Thomas selected as wildcard pick
Brooks Koepka is also expected to make the cut when US captain Zach Johnson announces his Ryder Cup team
The United States team for the 2023 Ryder Cup is complete after captain Zach Johnson revealed his six wildcard picks.
Two-time major winner Justin Thomas is among Johnson’s selection, with the two-time major winner backed despite his poor form this year.
Brooks Koepka is the lone LIV Rebel in Team USA’s 12, while Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns complete the team.
The six automatic spots in Johnson’s selection were filled by Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele after consistent performances from the sextet across the PGA Tour season..
This year’s edition of the biennial event will be hosted by the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy over three days from 29 September.
Luke Donald, Johnson’s European counterpart, will confirm his wildcard picks next week.
Follow all of the latest reaction to Johnson’s selections below:
Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns among USA’s six Ryder Cup wild cards
United States captain Zach Johnson has selected Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns and Rickie Fowler as his wild cards for the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome.
Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs and admitted it had been “humiliating and embarrassing” to card a second round of 81 in the US Open in June.
The two-time major winner also shot an opening 82 in the Open at Royal Liverpool, but has still been selected by Johnson ahead of the likes of Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young.
Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns among USA’s six Ryder Cup wild cards
Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs and admitted it had been “humiliating and embarrassing” to card a second-round 81 in the US Open.
When will Europe’s Ryder Cup team be announced?
Team Europe will seek to win back the Ryder Cup when they take on the United States in Rome at the end of September. The US thrashed Europe when they last met at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, but the Americans have not won away from home since 1993 and a much-improved European team will hope to maintain that record.
European captain Luke Donald, who took over the reins after Henrik Stenson defected to LIV Golf, already has four automatically qualified picks in his ranks: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton, with two more qualifiers to be confirmed before Donald make his six captain’s picks.
When will Europe’s Ryder Cup team be announced?
Luke Donald will lead Team Europe when they face the United States in Rome
Zach Johnson on the 30 year drought since the United States last won a Ryder Cup on European soil
“The bottom line is that it is very difficult to win in hostile environments. It is very difficult to win over there. We have an opportunity in front of us that we are all going to relish and embrace. It’s a new team, this is a new year on a new golf course. The only constants are that most of the fans are going to be against us, and the opponents are really good. Other than that, I’m not going to dwell too much on what has happened prior. It shouldn’t have any bearing on what we are doing in 2023.”
Johnson is asked if he called any other LIV golfers
“I called the gentlemen that were in the fold on making the team in points,” Johnson says. “You’d have to go down the list - I don’t remember my last phone call on the list, but it was probably in the top 22-25 range on guys that earned points.”
Zach Johnson on Brooks Koepka’s involvement with LIV
“What figured in my decision making was trying to formulate and pick six gentlemen that make the six guys that earned their way hole. They are all 1/12th of the team - they are all part of the team equally. When it came to BK, his experience, his temperament, the way he goes about his work, his passion for the Ryder Cup all spoke volumes. He would say, and I would be confident saying, he and I have communicated a lot over the last couple of months, we’ve had great discussions, very candid discussions. When he started to really make his way on to this team, it was a pretty easy pick.
“Brooks is great in the team room and great inside the ropes. These guys wanted him, I wanted him, he’s a very natural fit.”
Rory McIlroy: Team Europe’s Ryder Cup chances not hurt by absence of LIV Golf players
Rory McIlroy does not believe the absence of LIV Golf players affect Team Europe’s chances at Ryder Cup
Justin Thomas makes the cut as one of six United States wildcard picks
“I’m very, very happy to be here. It’s why we play professional golf is to be in these type of atmospheres. We are all going to be nervous but it is a great opportunity.
“Good partners definitely help. As much as you want to bring good golf yourself to the table, much of it is bringing the best out of your partner. I’ve been fortunate to play with some good friends of mine that I know well. It’s hard to really think about anything other than what you are doing. It’s hard to get ahead of yourself or look at anything behind you - the only thing you are thinking about is just beating the person or team you are playing against. That’s a challenge that I’ve enjoyed.”
On Justin Thomas, Zach Johnson says...
“Justin Thomas is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour in my opinion. He has, without question, been the heart and soul of Team USA. He is our emotional leader - he leads by example. He has a fantastic overall Ryder Cup record and his passion for the Ryder Cup is evident. He was born for this and you just don’t leave JT out.”
It’s five Ryder Cups in a row for Jordan Spieth
Skipper Johnson says.: “Jordan Spieth - great putter, great short game, seems he’s never out of the hole. I’ve been on the bad end of that myself...
“Great matchplay player, a very consistent year and just seems to bring his best out in the hardest of situations. He has all the intangibles you want, a lot of heart and spirit and a lot of experience, too. One of our stalwarts on Team USA.”
Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE
“A lot of positive memories,” Morikawa reflects having secured the Ryder Cup on debut two years ago. “There’s nothing like it: when you are playing for something else, for your country with the red, white and blue on, it really pulls something out of you.
“I think we are all excited knowing the history, knowing the task. We all want to win - the history is all in the past and we want to create new history for us as a US side. It’s another golf tournament and we are going to do our best.”
Zach Johnson also gives Collin Morikawa a wildcard
“He was a Ryder Cup rookie at Whistling Straits with two majors already under his belt, which is normal. A great young talent, a ball striking machine. Consistent would be the word that comes to my mind. He’s a really strong fit for Marco Simone and what we feel the course will demand.”
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